Israel and Hezbollah Edge Toward Ceasefire Amid Escalating Conflict
Arab world analyst Abdul Bari Atwan has highlighted growing signs of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, citing reports from Israeli and American media. Atwan wrote in Rai Al-Youm that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have approved a ceasefire after discussions with US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein and Israeli war cabinet ministers. This move aligns with preparations to finalize a US-proposed agreement.
Based on stories from Israeli and American media, Arab world expert Abdul Bari Atwan has underlined increasing indications of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. According to Atwan in Rai Al-Youm, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have accepted a ceasefire following talks with US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein and Israeli war cabinet ministers. This action fits the plans for completing a US-proposed accord.
With Hezbollah launching over 340 missiles and multiple suicide drones against Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Safed on November 24, 2024, the conflict has seen escalated strikes. These strikes momentarily closed Ben Gurion Airport and drove four million Israelis into shelters. Fires broke out in areas of the occupied territory, seriously upsetting daily life. Atwan claims that Israeli citizens wake every day to rocket sirens and explosions, therefore generating great anxiety among them.
The fighting has immobilized life in northern Israel. From Acre to Haifa, Nahariya, Safed, Hezbollah's rocket and drone strikes have caused severe damage to Western Galilee's cities. Additionally causing major damage are missile strikes on Israel's naval station and the second-largest port in the region, Ashdod. Future strikes could target important infrastructure, including the Dimona nuclear plant, raising increasing worries.
Atwan contends that Hezbollah's operations run counter to Israeli assertions of greatly diminished military capability for the group. Though Netanyahu claims 80% of Hezbollah's arsenal has been destroyed, the ongoing accuracy and force of Hezbollah's attacks show otherwise. Atwan thinks Netanyahu's quest of a ceasefire shows Israel's awareness of its incapacity to fulfill its strategic goals, which include eradicating Hezbollah from southern Lebanon.
Targeting the operations of Hezbollah, Israel has launched significant offensives across southern Lebanon since September 23, 2024. Hezbollah has targeted Israeli military installations and settlements repeatedly in payback. With international observers intently observing the possibility for a truce to momentarily alleviate the situation, the continuous combat has resulted in great losses and destruction on both sides.
